Our story starts with many heavy boxes and furniture. We were first introduced to each other through mutual friends as we were each recruited to help clean out a youth room. Eric was immediately intrigued by Stephanie’s hardworking attitude and physical strength. His chivalry wanted to carry the boxes for her, however her efficiency (Eric would call it stubbornness) wouldn’t allow it. The evening wrapped up with singing by the piano and swing dancing. Eric was struck by Stephanie’s beautiful voice while Stephanie was impressed by Eric’s Shim Sham dance skills. Their friends must have seen the potential in them both as they kept meeting at sequential moving days, each time chatting more and more. Their friendship really blossomed through Pints with Aquinas, a book club where they read St. Augustine’s City of God. However, their walks out to the parking lot and chats by their cars often lasted longer than the book club itself! Time seemed to pass by so fast as they swapped stories of their families, work, and hobbies. After about a year of friendship a grouping of providential experiences led them both to realize that what they had with each-other was more than friendship. After he found Stephanie always answered his calls while he was traveling, Eric decided to turn down a work promotion in Boston and remain in Rochester. Stephanie realized Eric was the only man that could keep up with her and stay on the dance floor all night after their friends, the Russell’s, plotted and sat them together at their wedding (thanks Taylor and Kevin!). After a spontaneous walk at Turning Point Park complete with Abbotts ice cream (the way to Stephanie’s heart), they finally planned their official first date. The rest is history. Their first date was a day of hiking along the gorge trail at Letchworth followed by ribs at Dinosaur BBQ. The following year was full of adventures. Meeting Stephanie’s family at Thanksgiving. Cheering on the Bills at High Mark Stadium and watching Ryan O’Reilly’s hat trick at Stephanie’s first Maple Leaf’s game. Continuing with Pints with Aquinas, this time reading Summa of the Summa (Eric had Summa on the mind 😊). Traveling to Florida to meet Eric’s grandparents Papa Ken and Ginny and to hang out with Stephanie’s cousins; Jason, Zahra, and crew (thanks for the hospitality!). Birthday celebrations in NYC to see Eric’s first Broadway show and Stephanie’s first opera. Activities close to home with date nights at the Rochester Philharmonic and local theaters coupled with lots of walks through Rochester area parks. Not to mention lots of dinners with family and friends and Sunday mass together. Eric proposed at Letchworth State Park, the scene of their first date! He made Stephanie walk all the way to High Falls before he popped the question. Stephanie suspected it was coming and impatiently waited. Their date nights now involve sitting on the couch wedding planning. Thank you for being a part of our story. We are so excited to continue on to this next chapter of marriage with all of your love and support.